[tazbabe]

the geese normaly come in at night no problem, but due to i surmisr the recent weather, and the fact that the roof has blown off their run twice lately, they have been more and more reluctant to come in at night.

mostly they have been persuaded eventually, but on wednesday night, when it the wind was at its worst, we just couldn't get them in, and at half one in the morning finally gave up, and went to bed. the ducks where also out overnight with them, as they would not come in either that night.

the next morning, i was at work, and once it was daylight anxiously texted steve to find out if they where all safe.
bad news was texted back.

he had found the gander in the field, decapitated!!
no signs of struggle, his wings folded, looked like he was just sitting on the ground, but his neck was very cleanly severed at the body!
we have searched for his neck and head but no sign of it. we can only surmise that a branch has come down and struck him. we have several mature oak and beech trees around the field, and bits do come off them in the storms.

i just can't believe it! it seems surreal somehow. there was not even a speck of blood on him, it looked as if his neck was pulled out.

anyone got any suggestions as to how this may have happened?

needless to state the remaining 2 have come in faultlessly every night since.

[Mel Rice]

Are you sure it was not a fox kill? They are very quick but can only carry away the head as the body is too heavy.

[tazbabe]

aye it was our first thought, especially as he had a slightly gammy leg, but would there not be more mess?

[Cinderhills]

I'm sorry you lost him.  I can imagine you were worrying all night. 

[Fleecewife]

aye it was our first thought, especially as he had a slightly gammy leg, but would there not be more mess?

When foxes have taken our chicken's heads there has been no blood or mess - which is a bit odd as you would expect gouts.

[YorkshireLass]

Sorry if you're squeamish...but rips/tears shed very little blood compared to cuts, as the blood vessels can seal off themselves with slightly "raggy" ends. E.g. a cat scratch vs a paper cut.

Sorry your old boy went, sounds like it was quick at least 

[tazbabe]

not squeamish at all.....i'm an orthopaedic nurse! 

so i agree about the fact that if his head was ripped off (ooeerr!) there would be less spilled blood, but do you think that a fox (or badger) would be able to do that without having a grip on his body? he was still pristine white, not a mark on him 

and yes, i was thinking too that at least it looks like it was a quick thing,

it just all seems a little strange, i guess we will never find out.

thank you for your empathies!

[Rosemary]

Poor boy  Sure learned the others though.

[princesspiggy]

foxes do take the heads, i learnt that the hard way with my pet rabbit when i was 9...

[Anke]

Mink? Are you near a river?

I have seen mink near ours in broad daylight, but so far not lost any chickens to them.

[jaykay]

I'm sorry you've lost your gander 

[Lesley Silvester]

I've lost many a hen and duck to mink and that was my first thought.  They bite through the jugular vein.  Very distressing. 

[Penninehillbilly]

Sorry to read about your gander, mine do sometimes play up a little but they are in waiting for their supper these days.
I got rid of my runner ducks because they would have silly sessions and run everywhere but into their pen. took hours sometimes. a friend left one out when she was 'duck sitting' and it was gone.
good luck with the others, hope they continue being good.

[Mel Rice]

Sorry to be ghoulish....but did the rest of him end up in the freezer or a grave?